The HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera and the US’s CREDO choir will stage “Verleih uns Frieden” and “Let there be peace on earth” on June 14 at Ben Thanh Theatre in HCM City.

A selection of noteworthy artistic and cultural events that will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from June 4 to 10.

 Casting for director Nguyen Quang Dung’s remake of the Hollywood rom-com 50 First Dates began on Monday in HCM City.

 A new pedestrian street, Trinh Cong Son street in Nhat Tan ward of Hanoi’s Tay Ho district near the West Lake, was launched in the evening of May 11, offering additional entertainment spaces for locals and visitors.

Hanoi Flag Tower which is one of the symbols of the city has been covered in graffiti for years.

 The media centre for the Hue Festival 2018 opened on April 23 at No. 1, Phan Boi Chau street, Hue city, serving reporters to cover the biennial event. 

 A festival showcasing Peruvian grapes will take place in Hanoi from March 13 to 20, organized by the Embassy of Peru to mark Vietnam permitting the importation of the country’s grapes after more than five years of negotiations.

Visitors are lining up to view the stunning ancient Sapa roses at the Bulgaria Rose Festival being held in Hanoi from March 8-11.

 Despite its beauty and significant traditional value, the future of Lanh My A silk remains uncertain as there are now only a few people pursuing production of this unique fabric.

Many telephone booths in Hanoi have been decorated with colourful paintings carried out by young volunteers.

 If rice is Vietnam’s staple crop, xoi (steamed sticky rice) is the nation’s choice dish, as much as the famous pho (rice noodle soup), if not more so. 

 The brilliant natural world with its clouds, flowers and insects are reflected in the silk paintings of Vu Dinh Tuan. 

Long Bien bridge is now severely degraded after a century of traffic. Maintenance work has been carried out to preserve its beauty and ensure safety for the public.

 Mobile karaoke groups are still common in the Hoan Kiem Lake area in Hanoi despite warnings from the authorities.

Xoan singing has been removed from UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

 The HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will open the Christmas season this week with the ballet The Nutcracker at the Opera House, featuring a conductor from Norway and dancers from Japan.

 Those having little time for a long weekend trip should check out the following destinations in HCMC for weekend entertainment.

 Folk art not only provides a modest income for many Vietnamese, it has often been considered a national treasure. However, as modern art styles become popular, the old paintings are starting to fade into the distance.

 Traditional water puppetry shows of the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre will be performed at the upcoming the 21st Festival de L’Imaginaire in France from November 22-26 at the invitation of the Maison Des Cultures Du Monde director.

 The traditional Oóc Om Bóc Festival that gives thanks for the year’s harvests will be held in the Mekong River Delta province of Soc Trang this month.